We’ve all been there. One minute you’re having a light conversation with a friend and then the next, you’re both enveloped in a chicken or the egg debate, struggling to agree on how one thing can exist without the other.
Now, you find yourself having that same debate with yourself over alcohol, one of your favorite pastimes before your addiction treatment. You can’t keep drinking to have fun, but at the same time you can’t imagine how you can have fun without drinking. It feels like you’re caught in the middle of an evenly matched game of tug of war, unsure which side will win.
The good news is you can rediscover how to have fun without alcohol. All you need is a few ideas to help you get started.
4 Ways You Can Have Fun Without Alcohol
1. Start by Working on Your Mindset
Your addiction has made you feel like you’ve been conditioned to automatically link fun to alcohol. In fact, you’ve probably heard someone say, “if there’s no drinking, it’s not going to be any fun.” While this argument can be convincing, it’s not a universal rule.
Your mindset has a great deal of power. If you’re convinced that you won’t have fun when you go out without alcohol, it’s more likely to happen. Do your best to keep a positive mindset and be open to the possibility of having fun without drinking. This can take the pressure off and help you avoid unnecessary stress and cravings to drink.
2. Participate in Activities You Liked Growing Up
It might seem like alcohol is the only way you can have fun, but there was a time when that wasn’t the case. Take a minute to think back to the last time you had fun while you were sober. Many people find success in looking back to when they were children. Activities like riding your bike, playing sports and watching Saturday morning cartoons might come to mind.
All those old hobbies you used to enjoy can serve as a foundation for today. For example, maybe you liked playing baseball with other kids growing up. As an adult, you could look into playing in a softball league. This not only offers much-needed exercise, but it gives you an opportunity to make new friends.
Grab a piece of paper and pen to create a list of activities you used to enjoy when you were younger. Then, look to see if you can reignite any of those passions to help you stay sober.
Find a Sober Friend to Hang Out With
If you’re looking to have fun without alcohol, hanging out with your typical bar friends won’t set you up for success. Go through your list of friends and find one who isn’t as into drinking and is willing to help you maintain your sobriety.
A benefit of finding a friend like this is you’ll be more motivated to try new activities when there’s someone else with you. When you’re enjoying sober activities, you won’t have to worry about being peer pressured into drinking. Since your friend is sober, too, they’ll understand your choice not to drink, giving you a sense of relief.
Find a Creative Outlet
Alcohol is great at convincing you real fun is hard to come by without it. Many of us get trapped by this mindset because alcohol becomes an outlet for times when we feel bored or in need of fulfillment. The solution is to find a creative outlet that keep you focused and engaged. Whether it’s playing guitar or painting your next masterpiece, creative outlets offer a fun challenge that will stimulate your mind and help you avoid relapse temptations.
Break Free from Alcohol at Footprints Beachside Recovery
Having been through addiction ourselves, we know that it can seem like your life isn’t complete without alcohol. But your life won’t erode once you give up drinking. Our alcohol addiction treatment center in Florida is here to help you realize your potential without substance abuse.
Our goal is to support you as your recovery journey takes you back to a happier and healthier life. If you’re ready to break the hold that alcohol has on you, we’re here to help. You can start your recovery journey today by contacting our admissions team.
